Blueberry Coconut Mojito
Monday is July 4th. The day America celebrates its independence from England. I love the 4th of July. Backyard barbecues, block parties, fireworks and ice cold cocktails. Yeah, nothing goes better with a hot dog or hamburger than a beer. Unless it’s a cocktail. A cocktail that’s full of ice and bubbles. My favorite cocktail on days like this? A mojito!
A mojito is one of the cleanest cocktails around. It’s just rum, mint, simple syrup and club soda. It’s clean and simple and one of the most perfect cocktails… in my opinion. I love them in their original form, but I also love fruity versions as well, especially this time of year when fruit is at its freshest, fruitiest best! As a matter of fact I make a lot of fruit mojitos during the summer. So, since this weekend is all about the red, white and blue, today I went with a blueberry mojito.
Blueberries are great little fruits. They’re small, sweet, full of antioxidants and vitamin C. They can lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as reduce inflamation. They really are a superfood. While they’re great on their own by the handful, they add so much flavor to anything you put them in. I’ve used them in muffins, fruit salads, even savory side dishes. So, if they’re delicious in other recipes it makes sense that they’d be delicious in cocktails, too. Those little blue spheres add that same pop of sweetness to drinks that they add to everything else. They also just happen to go well with mint. So, why not add them to a mojito?
Now, I know I’m not the first person to come up with this idea. I’m sure there are recipes all over. But I took this mojito one step further. Blueberries pair well with mint and rum, but they also go with citrus and coconut. So, not only did I add a flavor I subtracted an ingredient. How can I add flavor and take away ingredients at the same time? When several flavors are combined into one can. Trader Joe’s has recently come out with a sparkling coconut water that uses yuzu and I. Can’t. Get. Enough! Even my boys love those little cans. The combination of coconut and citrus is not only a flavorful way to cool down on a warm summer day, the coconut water is great for hydration and replenishing electrolytes.
I love the Sparkling Coconut Water on its own, but combining it with the fresh blueberries, mint and rum, takes it to another level. The Sparkling Coconut brings a tropical quality to the mojito, and since the coconut, yuzu and soda are all in one can, it means there’s a lot less cutting and juicing, which mean making this cocktail is super easy! Easy enough that there’s really no reason not to enjoy this tipple all summer long. So, why not start Monday? I know it’s what I’ll be sipping on the 4th. Will you?
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 ounces light rum
- 6 - 8 blueberries
- 3 mint leaves
- Sparkling Coconut Water with Yuzu
Instructions
- Add the rum, blueberries and mint to a cocktail shaker. Muddle.
- Add ice and vigorously shake until chilled. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with the Sparkling Coconut Water. Garnish with a few blueberries and a sprig of mint and enjoy.
